Escalante River Watershed Partnership (Pronounced “ERWP?”)

Next week, a working group called the Escalante River Watershed Partnership is holding a meeting in Cedar City, UT to continue its collective efforts to protect and maintain a healthy Escalante River and watershed for future generations. Recognizing that there are changes and challenges unfolding in the region, people from about 25 private and public agencies, groups, organizations and community representatives formed the Escalante River Watershed Partnership in 2009. The group aims to restore and maintain the natural ecological conditions of the river and involve local communities in promoting and implementing sustainable land and water use practices.

The Escalante River is a magnificent waterway in southern Utah that flows 70+ miles through what some people consider the flagship, or one of the most premier areas, within the National Conservation Lands: Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Designated by President Bill Clinton in 2000, it was the first area included in the National Conservation Lands—our country’s newest collection of permanently protected lands that rivals our National Parks or National Wildlife Refuges.

The river can be considered this Monument’s major artery, supplying water in an arid region for people, agriculture, recreation, resident wildlife, migrating birds, unusual aquatic species, and at its end, the Colorado River and Lake Powell (see our related blogpost). Demand for water from this river is high and, like so many rivers in the West, the introduction and spread of two non-native species, Russian olive and tamarisk, have harmed the river ecosystem.

The Escalante River Watershed Partnership has been taking action on the ground to get rid of the Russian olive and tamarisk in the river corridor… serious action, as in sending youth corps, conservation corps crews and volunteers to the river corridor for weeks at a time with chainsaws to cut it out. It’s hot, dirty, hard work, but they have made progress. Miles of progress. You can read a good description of the work here, in the Salt Lake Tribune.

In addition to removing invasive species, the group’s science-based Action Plan for the watershed includes restoring critical habitat with native trees and plants where the invasives have been removed; monitoring restoration tactics; finding suitable habitat for reintroducing beaver—an animal that plays a crucial role in the river ecosystem; working to lessen the impacts of non-native fish and restore habitat; studying water quality and quantity issues; working with private landowners as they restore their lands; and educating the public about the river’s ecological values.

There is a Friends Grassroots Network partner involved with much of this restoration work, Grand-Staircase Escalante Partners. To learn more about the project or to volunteer, contact Kris Waggoner, Field Coordinator, Escalante River Watershed Partnership, kris@gsenm.org. There is no web page yet for the Partnership, but you can follow their progress on Facebook.

Crowdrise

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Upper Missouri Breaks All Women Trip

Please join us for a world-class all-women canoe trip. We will be immersed in the historic journey that Sacagawea and Lewis and Clark took as we paddle the route of one of America’s most well-known women explorers.

Upper Missouri River Breaks Payment

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Owyee River Trip

Experience the Owyee's breathtaking side canyons, rapids, rugged rock spires and wildlife that make it Oregon's version of the Grand Canyon.

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Make a tax-deductible donation to Conservation Lands Foundation today and be part of this once-in-a-generation opportunity to conserve tens of millions of acres of rivers, desert canyons, entire mountain ranges, historic sites and wildlife habitat for future generations!

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Ipnavik and Colville Canoe Trip

In the upper Colville Basin, in the far western Brooks Range there is a wilderness almost totally unknown. Shallow, clear and punctuated by rocky bluffs, the Ipnavik River takes us through one of the least visited parts of Alaska. With help from CLF this area may someday form the core of the 5 Rivers Wilderness Area. After a week of paddling and hiking in the Brooks Range we fly to the Chukchi Coast and spend a couple of nights camping on the Arctic Ocean.

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Make a tax-deductible donation to Conservation Lands Foundation today and be part of this once-in-a-generation opportunity to conserve tens of millions of acres of rivers, desert canyons, entire mountain ranges, historic sites and wildlife habitat for future generations!

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Explore Bears Ears

Bears Ears National Monument draws people from around the world to experience the highest density of Ancestral Puebloan cliff ruins and rock art in the nation. This is one of the most incredible natural settings in the West with miles of spectacular canyons lined with cliffs cut across the mesa some ruins are perched high on ledges and under overhangs.

Bears Ears/San Juan River, UT | June 9-14, 2018*

River only includes guiding, drinks and meals, gear, gratuity for 3 days on the river
Hike only includes lodging, guiding, rental cars, drinks and meals, gratuity for 2 days hiking

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Would you like to make a one-time donation to Conservation Lands Foundation.

Yes, I love your work!

Not at the moment. I'm excited for the trip though!

Give a One-Time Gift

Make a tax-deductible donation to Conservation Lands Foundation today and be part of this once-in-a-generation opportunity to conserve tens of millions of acres of rivers, desert canyons, entire mountain ranges, historic sites and wildlife habitat for future generations!

Congratulations, you’ve signed up for an amazing adventure!

We’re excited to explore with you and look forward to working with you as we prepare for our trip. If you have any questions or if there’s any additional information we can send your way, please contact Beth Poole at 970-247-0807 x108 or email beth@conservationland.org.